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Bangladesh's parliament commenced its budget session for the 13th parliament yesterday, with proceedings set to continue until July 9. This marks the first budget session for the current parliamentary term. The national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is slated for presentation by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on June 11.

The session opened with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. He announced a five-member panel of chairmen to preside over sessions: Selima Rahman, Osman Faruk, Zainul Abedin, Md Shahjahan, and Shahjahan Chowdhury. A decision was also made during the parliamentary Business Advisory Committee meeting to hold daily sittings at 3:00 PM, excluding public holidays. Additionally, a proposal was put forth to conduct two sittings per day between June 27 and June 30.

Lawmakers submitted a significant number of questions and notices for the session. A total of 3,228 questions were received, with 191 directed at the prime minister and 3,037 for ministers. Furthermore, 98 notices of attention under Rule 71 and 293 notices of resolutions under Rule 131 were submitted.

At the session's outset, parliamentarians observed a moment of silence to mourn the passing of several individuals. This included eight-year-old schoolgirl Ramisa Akter, alongside numerous political leaders, former Members of Parliament, and prominent figures. Among those mourned were former MPs AKM Rahmat Ullah, Dabirul Islam, ABM Anwarul Haque, Moslem Uddin, and former minister Shafique Ahmed. Condolences were also extended for the deaths of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad's wife, Prof Dilara Hafiz, National Professor Sufia Ahmed, poet Helal Hafiz, Chhayanaut president Sanjida Khatun, singer Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, Nazrul singer Dalia Naushin, and others.

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Parliament mourned the death of eight-year-old schoolgirl Ramisa Akter, along with several political leaders, former MPs, and prominent figures, including Tofail Ahmed and Badruddin Umar.